Pipili gangrape: Odisha probe panel issues notices to doctors

The Justice PK Mohanty Commission of Inquiry, probing the sensational Pipili gang rape and murder case, has issued notices to two doctors on Saturday who had treated the victim at her relative’s home in the Odisha capital.

The Commission of Inquiry has asked the doctors—Dr Prabir Mohanty and Dr A K Nath– to depose before it on March 21.

As per reports, the victim was forcefully discharged from the hospital following which her family members had arranged treatment at one of her relative’s place at Ghatikia on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar. These doctors were attending her during that time.

The two were earlier directed to submit affidavits before the commission following which they have been asked to appear before it for hearing.

The Commission of Inquiry concluded its 70th hearing at the office in the Circuit House here yesterday.

The family members of the victim had alleged that the victim was discharged from SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) on December 14, 2011 following which she was undergoing treatment at Bhubaneswar.

On January 7, 2012, the girl’s family approached the State Commission for Women, who took her to Capital Hospital and then SCBMCH.

It may be recalled that the victim, had slipped into a semi-comatose state following the alleged rape and assault incident on November 29, 2011, was put on ventilator support at the Central ICU on March 20, 2012 after deterioration in her condition.

The 19-year-old was allegedly raped and strangulated in an open field near Arjungada village under Pipili police limits in Puri district by the main accused Prashant Pradhan and his accomplices.

She was admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital here on January 11 on the directions of the Orissa High Court, even though she was turned away on grounds of terminal stage.

After the High Court intervention, a high-level team of doctors was formed to oversee her treatment.

The Crime Branch had arrested four persons including the prime accused Prashant, his brother and accomplice Sukanta Pradhan and his aides Gurna Chandra Swain and Premananda Nayak. The Crime Branch had also submitted chargesheets against them and also against the then IIC of Pipili police station Amulya Champatiray and doctors of SCBMCH and Capital Hospital for dereliction of duty.